The holidays are over, and winter break is a distant memory. These factors sometimes make it challenging for any child—especially a neurodivergent child—to get back on track and follow a routine.

Routines play a key role in the smooth day-to-day running of a family. They provide structure, security and a sense of unity, especially in a world where time is short and obligations are piling up.

Parents often think of bedtime routines as just another task in the long list of evening responsibilities: brush the teeth, change into pyjamas, switch off the lights. But in early childhood, these ...